Enhancing Endocannabinoid Signaling

What does the endocannabinoid system mean for drug discovery and development?

June 2017

The endocannabinoid system is a signaling network in the brain and periphery that plays a role in maintaining the balance of many of our physiological functions, including sleep, appetite, pain, memory, and mood. The system is also the target of the psychoactive substance in the cannabis plant, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which produces its effects through activation of two cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. In the brain, CB1 activation reduces excessive neurotransmission, while CB2 activation reduces inflammatory signaling. The naturally occurring activators of the cannabinoid receptors are the endogenous cannabinoids, or endocannabinoids, anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG).

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About the author

Alan Ezekowitz

Alan Ezekowitz is President, Co-Founder and CEO of Abide Therapeutics.

About this Article

Published in Issue #0617

Welcome to the June issue! This month, our cover feature delves into the green rush of cannabinoids, and pharma’s fascination with creating medicines from the cannabis plant. In My View sees experts discuss explosive chemical reactions, extended ANDA approval times, and the upcoming serialization deadlines. We also investigate the story behind the world’s first JAK inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis, how the trends in small-molecule drugs are affecting outsourcing, the importance of manufacturing strategies in bioprocessing, and what the UK’s Brexit decision means for pharmacovigilance. Plus, we sit down with Elisa Cascade, President of Data Solutions at DrugDev.